Category Archives: Announcement

Summer Youth Paddling Program

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

SMALL WAVES YOUNG MINDS – Youth Summer Program (ages 7 to 15)

The ultimate youth paddling program in the heart of Parkdale. Youth will be introduced t a variety of paddle crafts including Outrigger Canoe, Kayak, and Stand Up Paddle Board. They will be taught foundational paddling skills and boat control for each craft. They will have the best instructor to participant ratio of 1:6.

Program Schedule (July 5 to Sept. 30
Outrigger Canoe & Fitness Program – Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 AM to 12:30 PM
Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Board – Tuesday & Thursday: 9 AM to 12:30 PM
All equipment including life jackets will be provided and sanitized before and after each use.

Pandemic Protocols:
• All paddlers (including youths) will need to submit a covid assessment form 72hrs prior to their first session
• Sanitation stations will be provided at the compound
• A distance of 2 meters must be maintained between each paddler. 
• All paddlers will be required to wear masks in the compound and within the vicinity of the compound until they are on the water.

Learn more and register: sunnysidepaddlingclub.com/youth-program

City Natural Garden Review

Announcement, Local Interest

The Grass and Weeds Bylaw requires that grass and weeds on private property be maintained so that growth does not exceed 20 cm (8 inches) in height. However, property owners or occupants can apply for a permit to be exempted from this requirement if they have a natural garden. Natural gardens provide environmental benefits, including the creation of natural habitats for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.

Staff are considering removing the requirement for natural garden exemption permits. This means that residents can have a natural garden without applying for an exemption. Natural gardens will still need to meet maintenance requirements to ensure health and safety of Toronto’s neighbourhoods.

Residents can provide feedback on this proposal by emailing MLSFeedback@toronto.ca. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, March 31 at 11:59 pm. More information is available at toronto.ca/NaturalGarden

Add a Laneway Apartment When You Don’t Have a Laneway?

Announcement

The City Planning Division has been working on a range of initiatives to extend our housing supply through the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) work program. This plan expands upon recent work that’s supported laneway suites. This program is quite relevant to Parkdale with its many laneways and deep lots.

A new report has been published which can be found HERE. In it, the City looks at options for laneway type units (known as Garden Suites) for homes that aren’t on laneways.

According to the report, City Planning will consult with interested stakeholders on potential permissions for Garden Suites in the City of Toronto during the first quarter of 2021 and then report to Planning and Housing Committee with recommendations by the end of June 2021 on findings and next steps.

Winterways

Announcement

Winterways will create high-quality public space to help build resilient communities in ALL seasons.

COVID-19 has disrupted Toronto’s communities and pushed life almost completely outdoors. Public spaces were the settings for our summer celebrations, casual catch-ups, culture, performances, and dining — but Toronto is a four season city, and our public spaces are not designed for winter.

With indoor spaces off-limits for public health reasons, we need to adapt our outdoor public spaces to support resilient communities and healthy public life year-round.

Winterways is an urban adaptation project that will work in 3 communities to transform 3 laneways into welcoming winter spaces that facilitate outdoor public life in the cold months: creating a high quality of everyday community life throughout the year, and giving Torontonians more broadly an additional incentive to get out and explore our unique neighbourhoods.

The project will kick off in March 2021 with a review with the three communities of their most acute winter public space challenges, and will be implemented in Fall 2021 to create winter-friendly places that build all-season community resilience in Winter 2021-22 and beyond.

Infrastructure Improvements at the Intersection of King West, Queen West, The Queensway and Roncesvalles

Announcement, Community, Local Interest

Beginning February 12, 2021, work crews will begin advanced preparation work on The Queensway and KQQR intersection, ahead of the closure of the KQQR intersection scheduled for March 31, 2021.

The City of Toronto and TTC have coordinated various infrastructure upgrades in the area of King Street West, Queen Street West, The Queensway and Roncesvalles Avenue (KQQR). This includes the intersection at KQQR and roadway on The Queensway from Parkside Drive to Roncesvalles Avenue, as well as Roncesvalles Avenue from Queen Street West to Dundas Street West and rehabilitation of the Parkside Drive bridge.

Ontario Place SAVED!

Announcement, Community

Ontario Place for All (OP4All) wants to thank all its members and supporters for the important victory they won yesterday – the Ontario government’s announcement that there is not going to be any wholesale destruction of Ontario Place.

Thousands of you joined OP4All in demanding the government preserve Ontario Place’s unique heritage landscape, including the Cinesphere, the Pods, Trillium Park and the William G. Davis Trail.

The Ontario government needs to recognize that Ontario Place is an essential public space and that there needs to be meaningful public engagement in determining its future. Read more HERE.

The Parkdale Residents Association is proud to be a member supporter of OP4All.